The question of where all the talent has gone is huge, of course. As is how to develop what talent already exists.
For now I just want the best U.S. players to simply get better and be more prepared. Improving the talent pool, even if achievable, will take time.
There is no reason U.S. players can't play smarter. Tactics and safety play are not rocket science. SVB and Fedor can hang with other top players in this regard, but Skyer, Tyler and everyone else - they need to improve.
A few years ago, Neuhausen had a perfunctory above-average safety game. Now it's a huge big part of his success. Labutis has also become very good at tactics and safeties.
This is a choice.
Preparation, as an underdog, simply has to be better, too. The U.S. seemed to lose most lags, and badly so. Johan actually had Team USA practice the lag to try to gain a small edge.
Tyler Styer, to his credit, seems to recognize his shortcomings. On FB, he posted:
This one hurts. I went into this tournament ready to give everything, but the truth is – I simply need to be better. I take full responsibility for my performance.
To everyone who supported us – the fans, the sponsors, the promoters, you deserved better, and we know that.
To the ones who doubt me, criticize me, and celebrate my mistakes: I hear the noise, but I’m not living in it. Moments like this reveal a lot, and trust me, I’m taking notes. I’m not here to prove you wrong, I’m here to prove myself right.
Setbacks don’t define us. How we rise from them does. “The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire.” Right now, I’m in that fire, but I’m not staying there. I’m going to learn, grow, and elevate every part of my game. I’m going to use this as fuel for every practice session.
This one hurts. I went into this tournament ready to give everything, but the truth is – I simply need to be better. I take full responsibility for my performance. To everyone who supported us –...
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